Buying Rugs Online or From Rug Shops
When you are considering buying rugs online or from rug shops, chances are you are feeling a little overwhelmed by all of the choices. There are many styles, colours and ways that rugs are made these days.
Types of Rug Fibres
There is a significant difference between the types of fibres rugs are made from. Those made from natural fibres compare differently to those made of synthetic materials, in performance, colours and the sizes available. Here's the breakdown before you buy or make any decisions.
Natural Fibre Rugs
A natural fibre comes from plants or animals. Some examples are wool, hemp, sea grass, bamboo, sisal, jute, and art silk (viscose or rayon), to name a few.
Wool Rugs
Wool rugs are more expensive than their synthetic counterparts but will last much longer and perform better, apart from some moulting of the fibres. Wool is a lot warmer and has a quality classification that dictates the quality. There are also a lot of hand-tufted woollen rugs on the market today, which are generally thicker than machine-woven ones and are mostly modern-type designs. One advantage of wool rugs is that they won't burn easily. Wool is considered the oldest natural fibre and has been used for centuries to make quality, long-lasting rugs. Most Persian and Oriental rugs are made exclusively of wool.
Sea Grass / Coir Rugs
Sea grass, coir and jute are anti-static, fire retardant, durable and UV protected, recommended for high-traffic areas like hallways, entries and family rooms. However, be careful with spills, as these rugs are not very easy to spot-clean; using a rug guard product would be a good idea for peace of mind.
Silk Rugs
Silk is not as durable and is best used in low-traffic areas such as formal living rooms; they can also make excellent wall hangings. If you or a family member has allergies or chemical sensitivities, you'll want to choose a natural fibre rug over synthetic fibres, as synthetics are commonly made with synthetic dyes or chemicals. Natural area rugs are a good choice for those wanting a more eco-friendly and green lifestyle.
Synthetic Fibre Rugs
Area rugs that use synthetic fibres do not come from plants or animals, they are man-made. Some of the materials used for synthetic rugs are nylon, polypropylene, acrylic and polyester. These fibres are strong and have a certain amount of water resistance, so they are made to last longer than some of their natural fibre counterparts. They can also be stain and fade resistant, depending on how they were made, and can generally take a bit more of a beating, particularly if they are of a good density.
Each type has its pros and cons, and each comes in a vast array of sizes, colours and styles, so you are sure to find one that fits your own personal tastes and your overall home decor.
Don't choose on cost alone, as usually you get what you pay for. A low-quality rug isn't going to last you as long, you may pay less up front but you'll pay more when you have to buy another one in a relatively short time. Keep in mind what the rug will be used for and how much traffic it will be getting.
Standard Polypropylene Fibre Rugs
The cheapest qualities are standard polypropylene rugs, known as BCF (continuous fibre). These are good for a limited time, as the fibre tends to flatten easily and can be hard to vacuum and maintain, so they're better suited for wall hangings.
Heat-Set Polypropylene Fibre Rugs
Heat-set fibre means the yarn is twisted and then treated with heat to stay twisted, which acts like a shock absorber to prevent flattening. Heat-set fibres are easy to vacuum as they are anti-static, so fluff and animal hairs don't adhere to them. There are many qualities of heat-set polypropylene rugs on the market, and the quality depends on the density of the weave and the thickness of the yarn.
Generally, the thicker the yarn, the lesser the quality. The finer the yarn is twisted and set, the more points or shots are required to cover the surface of the rug, meaning the rug has more density and is more stable and longer lasting.
Polyester Fibre Rugs
Polyester fibre produces some of the most beautiful colour arrays available. It's extremely fade resistant and provides excellent resistance to stains. However, it has poor resilience and is susceptible to crushing, so it's best to avoid high pile heights with low-density construction. Look for high twist levels rather than "blown" yarns, as loose twists tend to untwist and the yarn tips fuse together, creating a matted appearance.
Acrylic Fibre Rugs
Acrylic rugs can also be of high quality and come in modern, Persian, shaggy and kids' rug designs. The acrylic yarn doesn't have the sheen that polypropylene rugs produce. Acrylic rugs feel and look like wool but don't wear as well and are generally cheaper. Be aware some acrylic shaggy rugs can shed; rub your fingers back and forth quickly through the pile to test for this.
What Size Floor Rug Do I Buy?
Floor Rugs
Floor rugs are available in all sizes, starting from a small entrance mat to the largest, suitable for an activity room or large family room. They are available in runners, fixed lengths or continuous, round, oval, oblong and even square. The smallest common rug size is 110 x 160cm, suitable near a sofa, under a coffee table or in a small lounge room.
Hallway Runners
Hallway runners are manufactured at finished lengths or continuous. Finished lengths generally vary from 67-80cm wide and 230cm, 300cm, 330cm, 400cm, and a few up to 500cm long. Continuous hallway runners by the metre come on a roll of up to 30 metres long with a width from 67cm up to 80cm. These can be cut to any length, overlocked or fringed, and are available in many designs and colours, in rubber-backed or woven types. Some can also be matched with room-size rugs.
Calculating the Size of an Area Rug Needed
The size of a floor rug for a specific area is a very important factor to keep in mind when shopping for rugs. It helps distinguish boundaries and allows designation of certain areas of your home for certain functions; for example, a dining room boundary can be easily defined by a rug size roughly 60cm larger than the table all the way around, allowing chairs to remain on the rug when pulled back.
What size should your floor rug be? Use this formula: Function + Space + Preference = size you need.
Function is the purpose you need the rug to serve in a particular room, such as adding warmth, aesthetics, or protecting carpet/wood floor.
Space is the size of the room where the rug is to be used.
Preference is your individual taste and personal style.
For example, if you're looking for a rug for your living area to keep your feet warm, first measure your entire space and decide how much of the floor needs to be covered. Choosing the quality becomes easier once you've worked out what properties you need, whether it needs to withstand high traffic or be soft for the kids to lay on. Finally, choose the design and style according to your preference.
Floor Rug Sizes
Floor rugs come in a few different sizes. Here are the most common sizes (may vary slightly by manufacturer) and where they are typically used:
50x80cm - usually called scatter mats, commonly used in bathrooms, kitchens and as door mats.
80x150cm - larger than the scatter mat, commonly used in larger entrances or kitchens.
120x170cm - used in wide entrances and under small coffee tables or computer chairs.
160x230cm - the most popular size, used for the family area. This size suits the setting of a family room with seating around the rug, and offers the greatest selection of designs and colours.
190x280cm - similar to the size above, just slightly larger, used in larger living rooms and under dining tables.
240x330cm - less common, with fewer styles and colours to choose from. Ideal for dining rooms and theatre rooms larger than normal living rooms.
300x400cm - a very uncommon size due to the price and space required to display such a big rug, although it can be ordered to suit customer needs.
Round Rugs
Round rugs are also available but very limited in the following sizes: generally 60x60cm, 90x90cm, 120x120cm, 160x160cm, 200x200cm and 240x240cm. Rectangle rugs can also be cut into a circle on request.
Square Shape Rugs
Square rugs are even more limited in size, generally including 200x200cm, 240x240cm and 340x340cm. It's most common to cut rectangular rugs into squares on request.
Colour Choices of Floor Rugs
People tend to overestimate their sensory perception of colours, when matching colours aren't always the most visually appealing choice. A striking or different coloured rug gives a new take on a room, providing colour contrast and depth. For example, in a room with furniture and curtains of a similar colour, adding a modern rug of a similar colour dulls the look and provides no contrast, whereas a colour-contrasted rug adds a breath of new life to the existing palette.
In a room with a blue theme and earthen flooring, adding a burgundy rug, or one with a splash of blue coupled with burgundy cushions, provides a subtle contrast while still maintaining the feel of the room. This is a good example of how picking the right colour creates a new dimension while still allowing the existing theme to resonate.
Rooms with dark overtones tend to feel more enclosed. Adding a lighter coloured rug picks up reflected light, livening up the room and adding a sense of space, a simple but important way to revamp the look of a room.
Most people love the idea of a warm-coloured setting, for a cosy feel. In these cases, darker colours like chocolate brown and burgundy do the job perfectly, ideal for cold winter days. Lighter colours like blue, green and beige create a fresh, lively look. Having a darker coloured traditional design rug for winter and a lighter one for summer is a great idea. Every blend of colour creates a completely different look, and being colour-wise is half the job done in choosing the right rug for your home.